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Press Release

Sioux Falls Man Convicted In Child Sex Trafficking Case

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota man has been found guilty on two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Child. Emmanuel William Nyuon, age 34, was convicted by a federal jury for Sex Trafficking of a Child by Force, Fraud, or Coercion and Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking of a Child.

Following a four-day trial, the jury returned the guilty verdict after a short deliberation. These charges carry a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison up to a maximum of life and/or a $250,000 fine. Nyuon was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2012 on these sex trafficking charges.

“Many South Dakotans are shocked to learn that human trafficking and child prostitution exists within our borders, but the victims are here, often hiding in plain sight. We will continue working with victim advocates and law enforcement agencies to aggressively pursue these criminals who prey upon vulnerable children,” said U.S. Attorney Johnson.

In the spring of 2011, the Sioux Falls Police Department (SFPD) Street Crimes Unit began investigating a criminal organization operating in and around Sioux Falls. Witnesses identified several individuals they claimed had been selling narcotics and prostitutes, which included Emmanuel Nyuon. In January of 2012, the SFPD requested federal assistance, and a team consisting of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the SFPD, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation began investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Koliner and Jeff Clapper prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.

Updated June 22, 2015